Today off-price retailer Marshalls opens seven Canadian stores, including a 55,000 square foot Toronto flagship. Marshall's has opened 14 Canadian stores since March 2011 and it will have 27 Canadian locations by the end of 2013. The company expects to open up to 100 Canadian stores in the next 10 years. For those unfamiliar, Marshalls is a larger-floorplate off-price retailer selling designer-brand fashions at reduced prices. This is opposed to retailers like H&M, for example, that sell discounted products (purpose-made inexpensive items).

Marshalls is owned by American TJX Companies which also owns Canadian retailers Winners and HomeSense. Marshalls stores differentiate themselves from Winners by, among other things, carrying over 8,000 pairs of shoes per store. Marshalls has about 750 American stores in 42 states.The seven Marshalls stores opening today include stores at the following locations: Toronto, Ontario: Yonge & Gerrard StreetsHamilton, Ontario: Barton Street EastLondon, Ontario: Wonderland Road South at WharncliffeMarkham, Ontario: McCowan Road at Bullock DriveMississauga, Ontario: Argentia Road, West of Winston ChurchillWinnipeg, Manitoba: Next to Polo Park Shopping Centre andVancouver, BC: Marine Drive at Ontario Street.The Toronto store is located at the retail base of a residential condominium project called 'Aura'. The store is close to TJX-owned Winners, located at College Park. The store will be the first Canadian location to include 'home decor'. Other Marshalls stores will include home decor departments starting this summer.

Marshalls Toronto store will be located at the base of the Aura Tower. [Image Source]

Marshalls will experience increased competition once Nordstrom Rack begins opening Canadian stores. Nordstrom Rack is expected to open between 12 and 15 Canadian locations. We'll continue to update you on Marshalls' Canadian expansion.[Article Source]Marshalls website: www.marshallscanada.ca